Question on moonphase

[Hoyt]

I do believe moon phase has an effect on deer movement..example..they will feed more at night on a full moon when they can see better. That will effect when they get hungry and move again and that time will again on through the month.

But, that's in a place like Eden, when you put human predators in the mix everything is relative. When they get hungry and feed again, it may be on the browse next to their beds.

I keep up with it all, go when I can and keep my eyes peeled during prime times.

[longbow fanatic 1]

I have hunted the moon phases extensively, even scheduling my vacation for that time. As we know, the primary rut begins of the second full moon following the Autumnal Equinox (in the mid west). If I may suggest some good resources on this subject, for those interested in learning more on this subject: One is Charles Alsheimer's Deer & Deer hunter article Assessing The Moon's Impact On The Whitetail Rut. Two is the book Moon Struck by Jeff Murray and Miles Keller.

[Shawn Leonard]

Been a firm believer that when the moon is directly over head(full) or directly underfoot(dark)that deer movement is best mid-day. It has always been true for me. Shawn

[longbow fanatic 1]

The weather, and other variables previously mentioned, have a significant impact of the rut. These factors can cause what is commonly referred to a Trickle Rut, which tends to postpone or completely disrupt the chase phase of the rut. The Moon phases, taking the other variables into consideration, can aid you in predicting when the rut will begin, and whether the rut may fall into the Classic Hard Rut.

[Easykeeper]

I haven't seen the correlation between deer movement and moon phase that some others do, but it really doesn't matter...I hunt when I can.  I would certainly never stay home because of where the moon was in it's cycle.

I think weather has a lot more affect on their behavior than moon phase.

[tradarcher816]

Wow thanks again guys.

[NBK]

I'm not a deer researcher, just playing the Devil's Advocate...
Alsheimer and other's theory that the second full moon after the autumnal equinox is what triggers the whitetail rut is based upon moonlight triggering the pineal gland?
What if it's cloudy?
What if it's cloudy for several days?
Are does not going to come into estrous?

Seems to me that here in northern Wisconsin fawns are dropped about the same time every year, (first week of June give or take), meaning that the does are bred about the same time of year assuming a normal gestation length.  

Wouldn't it stand to reason that the continually decreasing amount of daylight which obviously registers cloudy or not is what triggers this?
Occam's Razor:  The simplest solution is usually the correct one.

Just my take on it.

[rolltidehunter]

yes the moon plays a factor

I hunt whenever I get the chance. I dont care what phase it is.... I hunt.

I run alot of trail cameras and when there is a full moon I always get mid day pictures of deer. 11am-2pm

I had a pictures of a really big deer 160+ in 2010. that is huge for my area. i got mid day pictures of him in sept, oct, and november during the full moon days. and pictures of him almost every other night on other moon phases. he was only moving at night besides on a full moon. just before christmas our neighbor pulled up showing off this big buck he killed on his place. it was my buck! i was depressed! i smilled and said "great deer". the whole time it was eating me up inside. i never told him i had over 300 trail cam pictures of him. he shot the buck walking to his shooting house one day about 3:30. the buck ran across the road chasing a doe. shot him with a rifle!!!!!  BUMMER!! im still sick over it.